"So first, I would notice bluejays hop around my yard after the grass got mowed. So I started creating a little bath and other features for them to frequent their visits. This expanded to more features inviting finches, sparrows, junkos, flickers, woodpeckers, starlings, and then a hawk. The hawk was neat at first then the realization that the little bird is prey to the hawk. So I had to figure out more deterrents for the hawk and safe spaces for the little birds."
"And then the squirrel started coming around for the BJs peanuts. Some may think the squirrel is cute but the squirrel is a greedy, taunting and terrorizing creature. Sure survival of fittest but the squirrel is not my friend. It'll dig holes in perfect plantars, it'll wreck anything it wants to get what it wants, it'll eat flowering shrubs, it'll eat birdseed. It if got sick and flattened by tires, I guess I'd still be sad because violence is not the answer, but...circle of life."
I noticed bluejays hopping in my yard after the grass was mowed and created a small bath and other features to encourage visits. I added more features that attracted finches, sparrows, juncos, flickers, woodpeckers, starlings, and eventually a hawk. The hawk's presence prompted me to install deterrents and create safe spaces for smaller birds, which proved mostly effective. A persistent squirrel began stealing peanuts and damaging plants and birdfeeders. Three outdoor neighborhood cats started visiting; I bonded with one through feeding. I witnessed an intense cat fight where my buddy was the aggressor, which felt frightening and saddening.
Read at Portland Mercury
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